Labor Strife Abroad For NYT

A tipster sends this dramatic action photo of International Herald Tribune staffers protesting against their penurious overlord NYT Co. for "laying off people and forcing them to go to Hong Kong or quit." Solidaridad! Full internal protest email below!

This email went out this morning to the IHT rabble-rousing socialists:

Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 7:53 PM
Hello.

As you may or may not know, management is planning to kill 6 jobs in Paris and is offering the occupants of four of those jobs the same position in Hong Kong. The only newsroom position affected is Sports Editor. Their argument is that the jobs could be done better or as well from there, and that it would save money. Those who do not choose to go to Hong Kong would be fired.

During several Comite d'Entreprise meetings, representatives of the various employee groups disagreed with those conclusions, except for the economic grounds, and proposed alternatives. Finally, last Tuesday, they asked management to come up with alternatives. There were no substantial changes offered at a Comite meeting today.

While only one newsroom position is affected, we are opposed to the way it is being done and the consequences to the employee involved. By picking just one position to transfer to Hong Kong, management has essentially targeted one individual to transfer or fire if he refuses to go. The feeling among Comite members is that this could set a precedent allowing management to pick and choose who they fire.

As a result, a demonstration is planned in front of the IHT building at 2:30 p.m., March 4. We plan to meet in the lunch room first before reassembling outside. Bring something to make noise with. Signs will be provided. There is a brown bag lunch planned for 1:30 p.m. and we are hoping that the journalists attending will leave that event if it is still ongoing and join the demonstration.

Another demonstration is planned for Friday morning, 9:15.

No one thinks we can stop management from doing what they plan to do. But no one expects it to stop at this one 'reorganization' plan. The hope is to send a message that this is not being taken lightly and that our opposition will mount if their proposals become more severe.